The Franklin Institute’s Game Masters celebrates 40 years of gaming

Last month, I visited the Game Masters exhibit with my kids and some friends. Showcasing the work of over 30 innovative game designers, Game Masters takes visitors on an interactive journey inside their favorite video games—from the classic arcade era through today’s web and console games.

Featuring more than 100 playable games, rare concept artwork, and revealing interviews, guests follow the remarkable transformations that video games have undergone and learn how popular characters—from Sonic to the Sims—came to life.

The games are grouped into categories: Arcade Heroes like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man, Game Changers (LEGO Batman 3, LEGO Harry Potter) and Indies including Minecraft.

I enjoyed seeing two classic games in the exhibit. If you grew up in the 80s, you’ll fondly remember Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Pac-Man, released by Midway in 1980, created a new genre: the maze chase game. In designer Toru Iwatani’s Pac-Man, players steer the iconic yellow figure through the maze to eat Pac-Dots while trying to avoid deadly ghosts.

One of the first platform games, Donkey Kong was a 1981 release from Nintendo, a franchise that’s still strong today. Mario is one of the most popular game characters of all time. In Donkey Kong, the great ape is the bad guy, squaring off against Mario.

Dance Central 3 was a highlight for my kids and their friends. They were able to sing along to smash hits while following a character’s dance moves on the screen in front of them.

Game Masters runs through September 3rd, so plan your visit this summer. https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/game-masters

Use promo code GMMOMMY to receive $5 off on adult, daytime admission to Game Masters: The Exhibition, for up to 4 people. Purchase your tickets at fi.edu or call 215-448-1200. Expires August 19, 2018.

Image: The Franklin Institute

IVY + BEAN Takes Kids on a Wacky Adventure

Get ready for a musical adventure with WST for Kids production of Ivy + Bean at Walnut Street Theatre. The two unlikely best friends capture the hearts of kids of all ages in an hour-long musical about the adventures that can be discovered with the power of friendship. On Saturday, I watched Ivy + Bean with my children and some of their friends.

Ivy + Bean is based on series of novels of the same name by Anne Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Ivy and Bean could not be more different, and when these two get together the adventures are endless. In this lively musical, they form an unlikely friendship when Bean decides to get revenge on her bossy, older sister, but they really discover that their differences are what make their friendship so exciting.

WST for Kids brings families together through reading and the arts. Parents and grandparents can read the books together with their favorite kids, then watch them come to life on stage at the Walnut.

The cast of Ivy + Bean are members of The Theatre School at Walnut Street Theatre. Playing the bookish and imaginative Ivy is Mary Kate Foley. Foley is a recent graduate of Temple University and recently toured around Delaware County with the Walnut Education Department’s production of A Philly Fairytale. Her wild and goofy counterpart, Bean, is played by Amanda Spivack. Spivack returns to the Walnut after most recently being seen in Saturday Night Fever.

Ivy + Bean is live on stage at the Walnut only through June 10. Media partners for this production are Courier-Post and Mix 106.1, and the production is sponsored by PWC. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

Image: Mary Kate Foley and Amanda Spivack in Ivy + Bean. Photo courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.

The 2018 Philly Flower Show Offered Indoor Break from Nor-easters

Last weekend, I visited the Philly Flower Show at the city’s convention center with family. It was a welcome respite from the recent storms that brought snow and power losses to our area. 250,000 visitors attended this year’s show, an impressive number given the recent storms. The theme was Wonders of Water, produced by the PA Horticultural Society.

The show highlighted plants that usually are found in wetter, warmer climates, with a focus on water conservation. Entering the rainforest garden was a sight to behold—water lilies, palm trees and purple and red blossoms from New Guinea wowed the large crowd.

Adjacent to the rainforest exhibit, Windows on the Watershed offered a “day in the life” of the Delaware River Watershed, a chance to learn how plants contribute to water quality. Walking through this exhibit, we saw how organisms cleanse and sustain the watershed; water is filtered by plants, animals and the ground.

Windows on the Watershed, essentially the same process as the rainforest, revealed similar ecological lessons.

The Philadelphia Cactus and Succulent Society exhibit explained to visitors that cacti and succulents survive much better without being watered. In this exhibit, we learned that cacti and succulents are self-sufficient in the proper soil or container.

This year’s show was a good chance to experience what it might be like to have water in your own yard. The Stoney Bank exhibit featured a pond, arbor wall and seating. Visitors looked through a water wall out at this show.

Some exhibits had impressive water displays, including a serenity space and the Laurel-Brook Gardens.

Next year’s theme is Flower Power, focusing on the role flowers play in bringing people together in healing and peace. If you live in the Philly area, this annual show is a must-see for inspiration and creative flower ideas.

STINKYKIDS: THE MUSICAL explores friendship and learning from mistakes

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of taking my kids and some of their friends to Walnut Street Theatre for Kids’ production of STINKYKIDS: THE MUSICAL. The children’s book is performed on stage in a fun story about friendship and learning from our mistakes. Featuring Britt and her friends from the series, STINKYKIDS: THE MUSICAL offers family-friendly matinee times at Walnut Street Theatre.

My kids were very excited to attend this performance, as it was their first time to “America’s oldest theatre,” founded in 1809. The children and their friends were entertained throughout the hour-long show—the colorful set and costumes, catchy tunes and plotline kept them tuned in.

The show ends with a positive message as the StinkyKids work hard to make the right choices and decide to donate to charity. Their motto: “Always be a leader of good” is sure to resonate with the young audience.

STINKYKIDS: THE MUSICAL is based on children’s books by Britt Menzies. When ‘StinkyKid’ Britt wakes up with a wad of gum in her hair, she knows she’s in trouble. Her friends are depending on her parents to take them to Captain Happy’s Jumpy-Fun-Super-Bouncy Indoor Palace; she knows this sticky situation could keep them from going and ruin the day. Britt enlists the help of her friends and mayhem ensues. However, they all learn from their mistakes and, along the way, discover the true value of friendship.

The Walnut Street Theatre for Kids series encourages families to read together and see the books come to life onstage. Thousands of local students attend WST for Kids performances and experience live theatre for the first time as part of school trips to the Walnut.

STINKYKIDS: THE MUSICAL is live at the Walnut through February 11. Media partners for this production are Courier-Post and Mix 106.1. For tickets, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster. Use code SKIDS for $15 tickets anywhere in the house.

Image: Walnut Street Theatre

The Franklin Institute’s latest exhibit explores a historic archaeological discovery

Terracotta Warriors explores the science and technology used to build, bury, and excavate the Terracotta Army

The Franklin Institute has a new exhibit that is worth viewing this winter—the only east coast engagement of a two-city exhibit tour. Earlier this month, I took my kids and a friend to check it out.

In 1974, a farmer in China was digging a well when he struck upon fragments of terracotta. Buried beneath the land were thousands of life-sized statues, constructed over 2,000 years ago—guarding the tomb of China’s first emperor.

Since this discovery, archaeologists have excavated and researched these warriors—uncovering the secrets beneath our feet since 210 BCE. Questions remain about the elaborate tomb, calling scientists to continue to explore.

Ten terracotta figures from the burial complex will appear in the exhibit: a general, an armored officer, a kneeling archer, a standing archer, an armored soldier, a cavalryman, a saddled horse, a charioteer, a civil official, and a kneeling musician.

Over 170 other artifacts from the pre-Qin, Qin, and Han dynasties accompany the figures. These include weapons, jade pieces, bronze bells, ceremonial vessels, gold ornaments, coins, architectural pieces, and ornate bronze chariot replicas.

Incorporating multimedia and interactive elements, Terracotta Warriors tells the story of how a young prince conquered enemies, formed the empire of China, advanced its civilization, and prepared a burial site for his eternal reign.

Terracotta Warriors runs through March 4th, so plan your visit this Winter. https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/terracotta-warriors

Image: The Franklin Institute

Mirror Maze exhibit at the Franklin Institute explores numbers in nature

Explore math patterns in nature at the Mirror Maze exhibit

The Franklin Institute has a new educational exhibit that is worth exploring this summer—Mirror Maze, an interactive exhibit that introduces patterns and how math surrounds us everywhere. The highlight of the exhibit is a 1,700 square foot maze of mirrors that will challenge you and your children to reach the exit.

We learned that patterns are the result of nature’s forces and processes. From the rings of Saturn to sunflower seeds, patterns are present everywhere in nature. #partner

My kids both enjoy math, so numbers in nature was of interest to them. They learned of math patterns present—the spiral of seashell, ridges of mountains, and the Universe’s structure. Understanding patterns reveals why our bodies and buildings, for example, are shaped the way they are and why they function as they do.

The exhibit explores fractal patterns that are rough, irregular and jagged. The kids and their friend were curious to learn about this. As a tree grows, each branch divides into smaller limbs. Observing a mountain’s jagged peaks reveals each peak is like the whole range, just smaller. Fractal patterns reveal the simplicity that lies beneath the complexity of nature. Fascinating!

The kids were intrigued by the interactive displays, especially “musical reflection” where they could hear symmetry and “playing with proportion” where they plucked long and short strings to hear that one sounds twice as high as the other.

I found it interesting to look at the branching pattern in your eye. By looking through an eyepiece, tiny dots that are red blood cells at the back of your eye are visible. When you blink, spidery black lines appear, shadows of capillaries that bring blood to your eye lens.

A Mirror Maze runs through September 4th, so plan your visit this summer! https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/mirror-maze-numbers-nature

Summer savings through Groupon coupons

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Groupon coupons is a popular site for families to save on activities, restaurants and consumer goods. As a family of four, we look to save money where we can. It’s exciting when you can find a sale for a much-need product for the home or your children.

My husband and I have used Groupon coupons at some restaurants in the past, but not yet for household items. Since we need some items at Home Depot, we are going to review this link before we go to the store: Groupon.

I’ve always been impressed with the deals at Walmart. Our local Walmart in Philly is always crowded with parents and kids. Walmart is a great store to find birthday party gifts and school supplies. You can’t beat Walmart prices on baby necessities like car seats, strollers and high chairs.

Check out this link and you will find over 100 coupons available at Walmart, either in-store or online: https://www.groupon.com/coupons/stores/walmart.com.

Groupon has 4^th of July sales through “star spangled” merchants including Home Depot, Target, Kohl’s, JCPenney and Levi’s.

Have you browsed the Groupon coupons site yet? You will be surprised at the deals you can find.

Cultivating Friendships Through Your Children’s School

What does the word family mean to you? On my school drop-offs and pick-ups, I notice many grandparents doing that role. How lucky for those kids to have their grandparents present on a daily basis, and for the parents to have assistance!

The other day I was looking through pictures from a year ago and realized many of my friendships were with mothers from my neighborhood and moms of my kids’ friends from their school. I think of their school in many ways as a “family”.

When my kids first started school, I had no idea who to list as an emergency contact besides my spouse. With no extended family in the area, we were at a loss in that area.

Over the years, I’ve asked other moms, “Can I list you as an emergency contact?” They’ve said yes, fortunately.

After over ten years in Philly, I feel like there is a network of other moms who I can turn to if I needed help. If you don’t have family in your area, what do you do?

I’ve worked out carpools with other moms when logistically it made sense rather than spinning my wheels.

As I looked through my photos I realized I’m part of a school family and would feel perfectly content if my children stay at the school until 8^th grade.

I am grateful for getting to know these mothers through car pools, birthday parties, class trips, etc. We all want what’s best for our children.

Do you feel you are part of a school community?

Image courtesy of Pixabay

The 2017 Philly Flower Show Celebrated Holland’s Tulips and Dutch Wonders

Every March, I aim to visit the Philly Flower Show held at the city’s convention center. The PA Horticultural Society brings a new creative theme to the show yearly. The 2017 theme was Holland: Flowering the World.

The kids and I hit the show on Friday, which was St. Patrick’s Day, accompanied by my parents who were visiting for the weekend. Thanks to the PA Horticultural Society for the press pass to tour this lovely event.

The show celebrated tulips and introduced visitors to bulbs and blends of colors from Dutch and worldwide horticulturists. There were 30,000 tulips in the entrance garden alone! The entrance had three large windmills along with lights that played music throughout the show. Above this garden, more than 6,000 flowers hung from a canopy. Breathtaking!

Also on display were tulip fields and Dutch symbols including windmills, wooden shoes, quirky bicycles and canals.

One the highlights of the show was the Ecodome, a 3,500-square-foot exhibit shaped like an igloo which held the Netherlands’ green technologies. The walk-in dome was a floor to ceiling showcase of the future of Dutch horticulture. A fortunate addition for PHS, the Ecodome was a springboard to discussions about sustainability, climate change, the environment and agriculture.

The Gardener’s Studio is the gathering spot for gardeners seeking new ways to improve their craft. Every year, national gardening experts, authors, and horticultural pros offer their insight at the flower show. About 100 people participated as speakers, where audience members were able to ask specific questions.

Last week’s event was a priceless chance to witness natural beauty, floral design and vibrant colors with my parents and children. The Philly Flower Show never ceases to amaze me. If you are within driving distance to Philly, it’s worth a trip in the Spring. Next year’s theme is Wonders of Water.

Five Ways to Master the Mommy Track

Years ago, I gave a keynote address for NY Mom’s World in Westchester, New York entitled “Five Ways to Master the Mommy Track” to promote my book for working mothers. I thought the pointers were worth sharing as a blog post. Here are the points, edited to be applicable to 2017:

Don’t overstress yourself when times are tough. Many women nationwide are afraid of losing their job or struggling to find work and concerned about their family’s financial situation. Career moms should realize that millions of others are experiencing the same feelings. The events happening today – job loss or an uncertain work status — will turn around in the future.

Don’t be so preoccupied with work or your career that you miss out on quality time with your kids. Ditch the smart phone for an hour or two each weekday so you can play with your kids or read to them. Limit the amount of TV they watch, and strive for quality interactions. Make the weekends extra special—take them on family outings to local parks, museums or excursions. Ask them what is going on at school, and they will tell you. Evaluate their current daycare or preschool program to make sure it’s the best fit for them.

To avoid burnout, women can communicate their needs to others by letting their spouse or partner and family members know what they need. This could be asking that groceries be purchased and put away, dinner be started, toys picked up, laundry folded, and so forth. Instead of reacting to unmet needs, moms can be proactive by expressing their needs from the start. When their needs are met, there is less exasperation. If other family members are local, ask them if they have time to assist, perhaps via school drop-offs or pick-ups and babysitting as needed.

How can mothers can take their careers to the next level–even with active home lives? Flex time is paramount so moms can be part of their kids’ activities. Women can ask their current employer for a change in their schedule–whether that be the option of telecommuting, working flexible hours, working a compressed workweek, or going part-time. They can build a solid case for changing their schedule and see if their boss will allow some flexibility. If not, then perhaps it’s time to find a job that allows flexible work options.

Career moms need to share family and home obligations with their partner or spouse. Women have made great strides toward equality in the workplace, but not at home. Household chores largely fall on the mothers’ shoulders–but these tasks and parenting responsibilities should be divided equally. Women will never have time for themselves until they can achieve this balance at home. Women should schedule their free time in advance otherwise it might not happen. It requires planning and cooperation with their spouse or partner. Each person’s free time can be scheduled and agreed on–and both must commit to making it happen.

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